“161 Students”- Viral Clip of Overcrowded Sokoto Classroom Sparks Anger, Questions Over Priorities

• A trending video has caused outrage on social media, showing 161 JSS1 students crammed into a single classroom at Turaki Model School in Sokoto State.
• The overcrowding immediately drew sharp criticism from Nigerians who accused the state governor of misplacing priorities, especially given that the state government recently gifted large sums of money to 3,200 Hajj pilgrims, funds which critics argue should have been channeled into fixing the “inhumane” learning conditions in the public education sector.

A video showing 161 Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) students crammed into a single, severely overcrowded classroom at Turaki Model School in Sokoto has triggered widespread anger and criticism across social media.

The viral clip shows students packed tightly together, with the voice of the man recording confirming the extreme density:

“JSS1C — 161.”

The video quickly drew thousands of reactions, sparking accusations that the Sokoto State Governor is neglecting the education sector.

Critics pointed out that the controversy is heightened by the fact that the state government recently gifted 1,000 Saudi Riyals (about ₦450,000) each to 3,200 pilgrims who performed the 2025 Hajj.

Nigerians argued that the funds given to the pilgrims should have been used to expand school structures, hire teachers, and improve the “inhumane” learning conditions in public schools.